What About Having to Face Daily Challenges?

A middle aged man who had a consistently sad look on his face attended a class on happiness. He challenged the Rabbi who spoke about being grateful for the good in our lives, "That's fine and well for younger people who have hope for a good life of abundance and accomplishment. They have a lot to look forward to. They have their health and have the energy to accomplish. But what about someone whose life is closer to the end than to the beginning? What about a person who faces daily challenges?"

"How have you developed as a person from the difficulties that you've experience in life? How have you developed into a more mature person and a deeper thinker because of your challenges? How have you gained from what you've experienced that you wouldn't have gained if you were to have an easy life of leisure?"

The person went on to say that his intellectual understanding of the purpose of life is much more profound and comprehensive than if he would have had an easy life. He has gained much wisdom from his life experiences. He has realized strongly that our purpose in life is not just to live a superficial life of pleasure. Life has a spiritual dimension that is really the purpose of our lives.

"Are you grateful for having gained this wisdom and depth?"

"I certainly am," he replied.

"That is what is meant by being grateful for challenges. It's not that you wanted to suffer. But that you are grateful for what you've gained spiritually and intellectually."

NEW BOOK!

We're human. We need food. We need meaning and connection. And we most definitely need encouragement.

Now, in this wise and charming new volume, we learn how to effectively use the massive power of encouragement,
to encourage ourselves and others, particularly when we feel overwhelmed or depleted.

In Encouragement, Rabbi Pliskin shares meditations and affirmations, inspirational true stories, and his trademark
wise, practical advice. He shows us how our words can help others - and ourselves -- become more confident,
optimistic, and upbeat people.

Rabbi Zelig Pliskin is the author of 25 books with his specialty in mastering happiness and other positive inner resources.

His last 15 books include such titles as: "Taking Action", "Happiness", "Kindness", "Courage", "Serenity", "Building Your Self-image" "Conversations with
Yourself" and "Marriage." These books are available at: Artscroll.com.

About the Author

Rabbi Zelig Pliskin is a noted psychologist and prolific author of 24 books, including Guard Your Tongue, Gateway to Happiness, Gateway to Self Knowledge, Love Your Neighbor, Growth Through Torah, The Power of Words, Consulting the Wise, and the recent Life is Now. Rabbi Pliskin lives in Jerusalem, and is the director of Aish HaTorah's Counseling Center and a senior lecturer at Aish's Essentials program and the Executive Learning Center. He was ordained at the Telshe Yeshiva in Ohio and holds a degree in Counseling Psychology.